The team here at Lighthouse Conferencing is always talking about “best effort”. Our boy Marc’s favorite quote is, “Don’t do your best, do my best”. We like to think that this translates to our customers as well. Whether they are hosting a Virtual Event, Webcast, All-Hands Conference Call or a weekly web-based sales meeting, our customers want to make sure that they have the best solution possible in place to further promote their big ideas, company updates, or brand. We don’t want to work with complacent people. That is not our customer or partner profile. In fact, we warn each other to “beware of complacency” on a weekly basis.

The other day I was catching up on my sports and came across this article. I don’t expect everyone to follow sports the way I do, but the Golden State Warriors and their MVP (and the reigning NBA MVP), Steph Curry, are on the verge of having the best regular season record in NBA HISTORY. This is both amazing and sad, as I am from the Michael Jordan era and love seeing milestones like this, but also don’t ever want anything MJ has ever done to be forgotten.

A few things our team noticed from this article that we thought would resonate with our customers and partners (all of which we will probably go into more detail on in upcoming blogs and how they relate to solutions like webcasting, virtual environments, and operator assisted):

Watch out for complacency.

Nike, the world’s largest sports shoemaker, approaches the soon-to-be MVP who is already a client. The incumbent usually has the advantage in these situations, but they have to take advantage of it! In this instance, it seems like Nike was complacent with their existing relationship and market presence. Obviously hindsight is 20/20, but in this instance the effort was lacking and the result was not great for the Nike team. After a lackluster presentation from Nike Steph decided to sign with Under Armour.

Always be looking to do better and better. Even if you are the #1 widget maker in the world, always try to improve. If you don’t, someone out there is more than willing to pick up the slack! “Just good enough” is now how your big ideas will make it onto the world stage.

The landscape is shifting.

The article touches on the changes in the basketball world, where larger physical specimens were the pitch-men of choice. Curry was outside that mold, a slender shooter who represented the FUTURE of the game. Nike stuck to the playbook here. And they had about as much good reason as anyone. But to deny the shift in the basketball world was starting to happen was a little shortsighted and ended up costing Nike. The world and business landscape is always shifting and changing. What was cool then, is most likely shifting today.

When presenting, be careful.

In mid-presentation, a slide with league scoring champion Kevin Durant’s name appeared. Steph’s dad, who was also in the room, admitted he “stopped paying attention” after that. Be mindful of repurposing materials so you never slip and put “Durant” in your Curry presentation!

Do your pre-game research.

It is widely know that Steph pronounces his full name “Steph-in” and someone from Nike, the company he had been with for years, pronounced it Steph-on. Mispronouncing a name can cost you billions! Or not having the best team in the industry supporting your virtual events and webcasts…yes, I think not using the best team for your events can cost you money, leads, participants, engagement, and reputation!

Look to change the game.

Again, Nike had focused a certain type of player over the years…and Steph did not fit that mold. While everyone is focused on big guys, slamming the paint, look for the Stephen Currys who are transformational in a different way. Lighthouse is that type of company. We want to focus on your Big Ideas, not your conferencing minute totals.

Most importantly – be like Stephen.

Never accept that you’re too small, not big time enough. Keep persevering, keep focused on your vision and dreams, and be yourself. Then the big contracts will come — but also be ready to recognize opportunity when it presents itself.

This is not an indictment of Nike in any way. I am wearing Nike shoes right now. What did strike a note with us, however, was the idea of treating all opportunities and partnerships with the same level of excitement and focus. This is why we love to focus on communication mediums like Webcasts and Virtual Events. These are highly visible and high touch solutions that require a lot of planning and a thorough “project plan” in order to be successful. We take pride in making sure to dot every “I” and cross every “T”. We do our best to understand our customer’s needs and provide the best solution for them to share their big ideas and dreams. And believe me, when people are trying to grow their dreams, like Steph, they really don’t have much of a tolerance for a “Durant” showing up in their presentations.

I am sure Nike will regret this one, but life will go on for them up in Oregon. I am sure Steph is absolutely fine with the outcome of that meeting. Not only working with a company that wants him, but also yet ANOTHER driving motivator for his every-day-improving career. In the minds of the Lighthouse Conferencing team, we embrace the idea of taking your dreams and big ideas and putting the best possible solution in place. You have our promise that we will be personally invested in your ideas and messaging and the result will be an “MVP Experience”. And if you have had any experiences like this go ahead and leave us a note in the comment section below!

Put your brand’s next webcast event in the hands of a team who doesn’t just do our best, we do your best

About Morgan Will

Morgan Will is the Director of Operations at Lighthouse Conferencing. He is passionate about improving the inner workings of companies and making sure that life is a breeze for Lighthouse clients. He is a huge University of Colorado fan (which has aged him terribly over the last few years) and once sat next to John Elway at Elway's Steakhouse! He loves the snow and mountains, trying every new restaurant he can find, and ridiculous movie quotes.

Morgan Will is the Director of Operations at Lighthouse Conferencing. He is passionate about improving the inner workings of companies and making sure that life is a breeze for Lighthouse clients. He is a huge University of Colorado fan (which has aged him terribly over the last few years) and once sat next to John Elway at Elway's Steakhouse! He loves the snow and mountains, trying every new restaurant he can find, and ridiculous movie quotes.